In keeping with the holiday-of-the-month newsletter theme, we did a little research on Valentine�s Day. In addition to known historical references to St. Valentine, I was surprised to learn that each year Americans exchange 192 million valentines. This makes Valentine�s Day the second-most popular greeting-card occasion. And this figure doesn't include the packaged valentines our kids exchange in school.

We also discovered that, as with many other holidays, we tend to procrastinate. Current data show that nearly sixty percent of all valentines are purchased in the six days before the holiday, making Valentine�s Day a procrastinator�s delight! I�m pretty sure many of you won�t procrastinate in preparing for Super Bowl, so purchase your valentines and candy while shopping for the big game. Your loved one will thank you. (If you see my husband, give him the hint for me.)

Make it a great February!

Tests measure student abilities in language, reading, science, and math. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, states are responsible for adopting their own competency standards in each of these areas. Public Education Department Secretary Veronica Garcia said New Mexico�s tests expect a higher standard of performance than tests in many other states.

At a roundtable on January 11, Dr. Garcia administered a surprise sample test to participants�including State legislators, educators, and parents�then took suggestions for improving the tests and motivating students and parents to do well.

The conference featured talks by Larry Waldman, senior research scientist at BBER, Kelly Matthews, executive vice president and economist at Wells Fargo, and Nariman Behravesh, chief economist at Global Insight, an economic forecasting firm.

Dr. Waldman said New Mexico�s economic strengths include high employment levels, a diverse economy, and continuing oil and gas revenues. He had a darker view of New Mexico�s long-term economic health, citing a troubled educational system, low per-capita income levels, and extreme disparities in wealth and income among the population.

Governor Bill Richardson, House Speaker Ben Lujan, Senate President Ben Altamirano, and other leaders kicked off the conference. Jim Colson, President of the New Mexico Economic Development Partnership, was the keynote speaker, describing the State�s efforts to recruit new businesses and industries. The event also held panels on budget and energy issues. Rick Homans, Economic Development Secretary, gave a presentation on the proposed Spaceport at White Sands.

In-kind donations of expertise help small nonprofits tackle special, one-time projects, saving resources and increasing the level of success. Other projects Consortium members have helped with include expansion of New Mexico Cooperative Extension's Taos Agricultural Center and construction of a new machine shop for the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.

The Consortium hopes to offer small business mentoring and grants to economic development projects in the near future. The Lab helped form the Consortium in 2004 to coordinate resources to assist subcontractors in fulfilling their economic and community development commitments. The RDC provides facilitation and other assistance to the Consortium. For more information, call the RDC at 505-820-1226.

The Lab�s Tribal Relations Business Team helped the Pueblo with the certification process. "This means the Pueblo of Cochiti's business unit, the CCDC, will now compete for government contracts with the Lab and other federal agencies," said Lab Director Bob Kuckuck. "LANL has placed a high priority on promoting business opportunities for the pueblos of Cochiti, Jemez, San Ildefonso, and Santa Clara.�

Cochiti Pueblo Governor Joseph L. Trujillo said certification will give �a much-needed boost� to business development at the Pueblo.

LANS representatives will show employees, retirees, and the community how their plan compares to the existing UC pension/benefits plan. Attendees will be encouraged to submit their comments to the NNSA.

Meetings schedule